Azad asks people to raise their voice against violence

Srinagar, July 17: Urging people to raise their voice against violence, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said if cruelty is sin, then bearing it silently is a graver sin.

Expressing anguish, he said about 80 per cent tourists bookings have been cancelled and 50 to 60 per cent tourists have left the valley after the grenade attacks on them.

How long people of Kashmir will remain silent spectators to killings of innocent persons and tourists, he said on the occasion of laying foundation stone of Qazigund-Kulgam road in south Kashmir.

He said time has come that people should rise to the occasion and launch a vigorous campaign against tyranny.

Mr Azad said as cruelty is sin in itself, similarly, it is more sin to bear the cruelty silently.

The forces who are bent to wreck the economy and progress of the state particularly Kashmir Valley through their nefarious designs of terror by terrorising innocent civilians and guest tourists are real enemies of people.

He said that it was unfortunate that the people who were celebrating creation of Kulgam district were showered with grenades and their jubilation was turned into mourning.

He expressed his surprise that militants are out to maim and kill innocent civilians for no fault of theirs. Even the militants have gone to the extent of killing tourists resulting in complete devastation to our prestigious tourist industry.

He further said that Kashmir which was known throughout the world for its hospitality and humbleness has been dis-reputed throughout the world by these elements.

Mr Azad said when lakhs and lakhs of people were destined to come to Kashmir, these enemies of Kashmiris who claim themselves to be champion of their cause have forced to divert tourists towards other tourist destinations, he said.

UNI